Levitating metering apparatus

ABSTRACT

Example levitating meter apparatus are disclosed. An example metering system includes a meter having a display to present indicia associated with a panelist. The meter has a microphone to receive audio output from a media device and circuitry to perform media monitoring. A base includes a cavity to receive at least a portion of the meter. The meter to magnetically levitate relative to the base to decouple the meter from the base. The base and the meter structured to fix a rotational position of the meter relative to the base when the at least the portion of the meter is received by the cavity of the base and the meter levitates relative to the base.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This patent arises from a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser.No. 16/565,080, filed Sep. 9, 2019, which is hereby incorporated byreference herein in its entirety.

FIELD OF DISCLOSURE

This patent is directed to metering devices and, more specifically, tolevitating metering apparatus.

BACKGROUND

Monitoring companies monitor user interaction with media devices, suchas smartphones, tablets, laptops, smart televisions, etc. To facilitatesuch monitoring, monitoring companies enlist panelists and installmeters at the media presentation locations of those panelists. Themeters monitor media presentations and transmit media monitoringinformation to a central facility of the monitoring company. Such mediamonitoring information enables the media monitoring companies to, amongother things, monitor exposure to advertisements, determineadvertisement effectiveness, determine user behavior, identifypurchasing behavior associated with various demographics, etc.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an example audience measurement system with anexample metering system constructed in accordance with the teachings ofthis disclosure.

FIG. 2A is a perspective, front view of the example metering system ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 2B is a perspective rear, partial cutaway view of the examplemetering system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the example metering system of FIGS. 1, 2Aand 2B.

FIG. 4A is a perspective view of an example meter of the examplemetering system of FIGS. 1, 2A, 2B, and 3.

FIG. 4B is a front view of the example meter of FIG. 4A.

FIG. 4C is a bottom view of the example meter of FIGS. 4A and 4B.

FIG. 4D is a side view of the example meter of FIGS. 4A-4C.

FIG. 4E is a cross-sectional, side view of the meter taken along line4-4 of FIG. 4A.

FIG. 4F is a cross-sectional, perspective view of the meter taken alongline 4-4 of FIG. 4A.

FIG. 5A is a perspective, top view of an example base 204 of the examplemetering system of FIGS. 1, 2A, 2B and 3.

FIG. 5B is a top view of the example base of FIG. 5A.

FIG. 5C is a perspective, bottom view of the example base of FIGS. 5Aand 5B.

FIG. 5D is a cross-sectional front view of the example base of FIGS.5A-5C.

FIG. 5E is a front view of the example base of FIGS. 5A-5D.

FIG. 5F is a cross-sectional side view of the example base of FIGS.5A-5E.

FIG. 5G is a side view of the example base of FIGS. 5A-5F.

FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional front view of the example metering systemof FIGS. 1, 2A, 2B and 3.

FIG. 6B is a perspective, cross-sectional side view of the examplemetering system of FIGS. 1, 2A, 2B, and 3.

FIG. 6C is a cross-sectional side view of the example metering system ofFIGS. 1, 2A, 2B, and 3.

FIGS. 7-9, 10A and 10B illustrate other example metering systems700-1000 disclosed herein.

The figures are not to scale. Instead, to clarify multiple layers andregions, the thickness of the layers may be enlarged in the drawings.Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughoutthe drawing(s) and accompanying written description to refer to the sameor like parts. As used in this patent, stating that any part (e.g., alayer, film, area, or plate) is in any way positioned on (e.g.,positioned on, located on, disposed on, or formed on, etc.) anotherpart, means that the referenced part is either in contact with the otherpart, or that the referenced part is above the other part with one ormore intermediate part(s) located therebetween. Stating that any part isin contact or directly engaged with another part means that there is nointermediate part between the two parts.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Audience measurement entities (also referred to herein as “ratingsentities” or “monitoring companies”) determine demographic reach foradvertising and media programming based on registered panel members.That is, an audience measurement entity enrolls people that consent tobeing monitored into a panel. During enrollment, the audiencemeasurement entity receives demographic information from the enrollingpeople so that subsequent correlations may be made betweenadvertisement/media exposure to those panelists and differentdemographic markets. For example, monitoring companies desire knowledgeon how users interact with media devices, such as smartphones, tablets,laptops, smart televisions, etc. In particular, media monitoringcompanies monitor media presentations made at the media devices to,among other things, monitor exposure to advertisements, determineadvertisement effectiveness, determine user behavior, identifypurchasing behavior associated with various demographics, etc.

As used herein, the term “media” includes any type of content and/oradvertisement delivered via any type of distribution medium. Thus, mediaincludes television programming or advertisements, radio programming oradvertisements, movies, web sites, streaming media, etc.

To monitor media presentations made at a media device, metering devicesoften employ one or more microphones or other audio receiving devices.The one or more microphones receive audio signals of a mediapresentation presented by a media device. The audio signals are analyzedto enable the metering device to identify media presented by the mediadevice.

Audio watermarking is a technique used to identify media such astelevision broadcasts, radio broadcasts, advertisements (televisionand/or radio), downloaded media, streaming media, prepackaged media,etc. Existing audio watermarking techniques identify media by embeddingone or more audio codes (e.g., one or more watermarks), such as mediaidentifying information and/or an identifier that may be mapped to mediaidentifying information, into an audio and/or video component. In someexamples, the audio or video component is selected to have a signalcharacteristic sufficient to hide the watermark. As used herein, theterms “code” or “watermark” are used interchangeably and are defined tomean any identification information (e.g., an identifier) that may beinserted or embedded in the audio or video of media (e.g., a program oradvertisement) for the purpose of identifying the media or for anotherpurpose such as tuning (e.g., a packet identifying header). As usedherein “media” refers to audio and/or visual (still or moving) contentand/or advertisements. To identify watermarked media, the watermark(s)are extracted and used to access a table of reference watermarks thatare mapped to media identifying information.

Unlike media monitoring techniques based on codes and/or watermarksincluded with and/or embedded in the monitored media, fingerprint orsignature-based media monitoring techniques generally use one or moreinherent characteristics of the monitored media during a monitoring timeinterval to generate a substantially unique proxy for the media. Such aproxy is referred to as a signature or fingerprint, and can take anyform (e.g., a series of digital values, a waveform, etc.) representativeof any aspect(s) of the media signal(s) (e.g., the audio and/or videosignals forming the media presentation being monitored). A signature maybe a series of signatures collected in series over a timer interval. Agood signature is repeatable when processing the same mediapresentation, but is unique relative to other (e.g., different)presentations of other (e.g., different) media. Accordingly, the term“fingerprint” and “signature” are used interchangeably herein and aredefined herein to mean a proxy for identifying media that is generatedfrom one or more inherent characteristics of the media.

Signature-based media monitoring generally involves determining (e.g.,generating and/or collecting) signature(s) representative of a mediasignal (e.g., an audio signal and/or a video signal) output by amonitored media device and comparing the monitored signature(s) to oneor more references signatures corresponding to known (e.g., reference)media sources. Various comparison criteria, such as a cross-correlationvalue, a Hamming distance, etc., can be evaluated to determine whether amonitored signature matches a particular reference signature. When amatch between the monitored signature and one of the referencesignatures is found, the monitored media can be identified ascorresponding to the particular reference media represented by thereference signature that with matched the monitored signature. Becauseattributes, such as an identifier of the media, a presentation time, abroadcast channel, etc., are collected for the reference signature,these attributes may then be associated with the monitored media whosemonitored signature matched the reference signature. Example systems foridentifying media based on codes and/or signatures are long known andwere first disclosed in Thomas, U.S. Pat. No. 5,481,294, which is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety.

Identification techniques based on both signature-based media monitoringand watermark-based media monitoring benefit from low levels of noise inthe analyzed audio signals. To reduce noise received by the one or moremicrophones, some metering devices isolate individual microphones in ahousing of the metering device. However, to isolate the individualmicrophones requires individual microphones to be removed from a mainprinted circuit board (e.g., a main PCB) of the metering device.Removing the individual microphones from the main printed circuit boardand isolating each individual microphone in a housing of the meteringdevice complicates manufacturing and adds significant costs to themetering device.

Example metering devices are disclosed herein monitor media presented bymedia devices. The example metering devices disclosed herein receiveaudio signals (e.g., that include audio signatures) to identify mediacontent presented by a media device. To receive the audio signals,example metering devices disclosed herein employ one or more microphonesor other audio receiving or identification devices. For example,metering devices disclosed herein employ one or more microphones coupledto a main printed circuit board (e.g., a main PBC) of the meteringdevice. To prevent degradation of the audio signal due to noise orvibrations, the one or more microphones of the example metering devicesdisclosed herein are isolated from a base of the metering device, amedia presentation device, and/or a stand on which the metering deviceand/or the presentation device is supported. To isolate the one or moremicrophones, the metering devices disclosed herein suspend or levitate ahousing (e.g., including the one or more microphones) relative to a baseof the metering device. To levitate the housing, example meteringdevices disclosed herein employ a housing a having a first plurality ofmagnets and a base having a second plurality of magnets. To this end,the housing (e.g., an entire housing) levitates relative to the basesuch that the housing does not physically contact the base. In otherwords, the housing of the example metering devices disclosed herein isentirely detached from the base. Detaching the housing from the baseprovides an insulation layer (e.g., an air gap) between the housing andthe base, which dampens noise or vibrations and/or prevents noise orvibrations from interfering with the one or more microphones of theexample metering devices disclosed herein. Magnetically levitating theentire housing of the example metering devices improves audio qualityand/or audio detection accuracy and significantly reduces costs comparedto alternative metering devices that isolate individual microphones.

FIG. 1 is an illustration of an example audience measurement system 100having an example metering system 102 constructed in accordance with theteachings of this disclosure to monitor an example media presentationenvironment 104. In the illustrated example of FIG. 1, the mediapresentation environment 104 includes panelists 106, 107, and 108, anexample media device 110 that receives media from an example mediasource 112, and the metering system 102. The metering system 102identifies the media presented by the media device 110 and reports mediamonitoring information to an example central facility 114 of an audiencemeasurement entity via an example gateway 116 and an example network118. The example metering system 102 of FIG. 1 sends mediaidentification data and/or audience identification data to the centralfacility 114 periodically, a-periodically and/or upon request by thecentral facility 114.

The example gateway 116 of the illustrated example of FIG. 1 is a routerthat enables the metering system 102 and/or other devices in the mediapresentation environment (e.g., the media device 110) to communicatewith the network 118 (e.g., the Internet.) In some examples, the examplegateway 116 facilitates delivery of media from the media source 112 tothe media device 110 via the Internet. In some examples, the examplegateway 116 includes gateway functionality, such as modem capabilities.In some other examples, the example gateway 116 is implemented in two ormore devices (e.g., a router, a modem, a switch, a firewall, etc.). Thegateway 116 of the illustrated example may communicate with the network118 via Ethernet, a digital subscriber line (DSL), a telephone line, acoaxial cable, a USB connection, a Bluetooth connection, any wirelessconnection, etc.

In some examples, the example gateway 116 hosts a Local Area Network(LAN) for the media presentation environment 104. In the illustratedexample, the LAN is a wireless local area network (WLAN), and allows themetering system 102, the media device 110, etc. to transmit and/orreceive data via the Internet. Alternatively, the gateway 116 may becoupled to such a LAN. In some examples, the gateway 116 may beimplemented with the example metering system 102 disclosed herein. Insome examples, the gateway 116 may not be provided. In some suchexamples, the metering system meter 102 may communicate with the centralfacility 114 via cellular communication (e.g., the metering system 102may employ a built-in cellular modem).

The network 118 of the illustrated example is a wide area network (WAN)such as the Internet. However, in some examples, local networks mayadditionally or alternatively be used. Moreover, the example network 118may be implemented using any type of public or private network, such as,but not limited to, the Internet, a telephone network, a local areanetwork (LAN), a cable network, and/or a wireless network, or anycombination thereof.

The central facility 114 of the illustrated example is implemented byone or more servers. The central facility 114 processes and stores datareceived from the metering system 102. For example, the example centralfacility 114 of FIG. 1 combines audience identification data and programidentification data from multiple households to generate aggregatedmedia monitoring information. The central facility 114 generates reportsfor advertisers, program producers and/or other interested parties basedon the compiled statistical data. Such reports include extrapolationsabout the size and demographic composition of audiences of content,channels and/or advertisements based on the demographics and behavior ofthe monitored panelists.

In the illustrated example of FIG. 1, the media presentation environment104 is a room of a household (e.g., a room in a home of a panelist, suchas the home of a “Nielsen family”) that has been statistically selectedto develop media (e.g., television) ratings data for apopulation/demographic of interest. In the illustrated example of FIG.1, the example panelists 106, 107 and 108 of the household have beenstatistically selected to develop media ratings data (e.g., televisionratings data) for a population/demographic of interest. People becomepanelists via, for example, a user interface presented on a media device(e.g., via the media device 110, via a website, etc.). People becomepanelists in additional or alternative manners such as, for example, viaa telephone interview, by completing an online survey, etc. Additionallyor alternatively, people may be contacted and/or enlisted using anydesired methodology (e.g., random selection, statistical selection,phone solicitations, Internet advertisements, surveys, advertisements inshopping malls, product packaging, etc.). In some examples, an entirefamily may be enrolled as a household of panelists. That is, while amother, a father, a son, and a daughter may each be identified asindividual panelists, their viewing activities typically occur withinthe family's household.

In the illustrated example, one or more panelists 106, 107 and 108 ofthe household have registered with an audience measurement entity (e.g.,by agreeing to be a panelist) and have provided their demographicinformation to the audience measurement entity as part of a registrationprocess to enable associating demographics with media exposureactivities (e.g., television exposure, radio exposure, Internetexposure, etc.). The demographic data includes, for example, age,gender, income level, educational level, marital status, geographiclocation, race, etc., of a panelist. While the example mediapresentation environment 104 is a household, the example mediapresentation environment 104 can additionally or alternatively be anyother type(s) of environments such as, for example, a theater, arestaurant, a tavern, a retail location, an arena, etc.

In examples disclosed herein, an audience measurement entity providesthe metering system 102 to the panelist 106, 107 and 108 (or householdof panelists) such that the metering system 102 may be installed by thepanelist 106, 107 and 108 by simply powering the metering system 102 andplacing the metering system 102 in the media presentation environment104 and/or near the media device 110 (e.g., near a television set). Insome examples, more complex installation activities may be performedsuch as, for example, affixing the metering system 102 to the mediadevice 110, electronically connecting the metering system 102 to themedia device 110, etc.

To identify and/or confirm the presence of a panelist present in themedia presentation environment 104, the metering system 102 of theillustrated example includes an example display 132. For example, thedisplay 132 provides identification of the panelists 106, 107, 108 thatare present in the media presentation environment 104. For example, inthe illustrated example, the metering system 102 displays indicia orvisual indicators (e.g., illuminated numerals 1, 2 and 3) identifyingand/or confirming the presence of the first panelist 106, the secondpanelist 107 and the third panelist 108. In some examples, the householdmember or panelist can log in via an active log in or a passive log in.An active login, for example, employs a remote controller (e.g., aninfrared remote controller) that provides feedback (e.g., via a display)to a household member or panelist confirming registration. A passivelogin, for example, employs a meter (e.g., the metering system 102)having image sensors that can detect and/or identify a household memberor panelist (e.g., the panelist 106, 107, 108 in a media monitoringenvironment). In some examples, an automatic login system employsBluetooth nodes (e.g., a wearable such as, for example, a watch, apeople meter, etc.) that automatically detect and/or log in householdmember and/or panelist present in a media monitoring environment. Forexample, the meter 102 can include a Bluetooth antenna that can receivecommunication signals from Bluetooth nodes associated with householdmembers or panelists. In some examples, login can be performed verballyvia one or more microphones associated with the meter 102 and/or one ormore devices (e.g., home entertainment or smart home devices such as,for example, Alexa, Apple home pod, etc.) communicatively coupled to anaudience measurement system (e.g., the audience measurement system 100,the metering system 102, etc.).

In some examples, the metering system 102 may be configured to receivepanelist information via an example input device 122 such as, forexample, a remote control, An Apple iPad®, a cell phone, etc.). In suchexamples, the metering system 102 prompts the audience members toindicate their presence by pressing an appropriate input key on theinput device 122. For example, the input device 122 can enable theaudience member(s) (e.g., the panelists 106, 107 and 108 of FIG. 1)and/or an unregistered user (e.g., a visitor to a panelist household) toinput information to the metering system 102 of FIG. 1. This informationincludes registration data to configure the metering system 102 and/ordemographic data to identify the audience member(s). For example, theinput device 122 may include a gender input interface, an age inputinterface, and a panelist identification input interface, etc.

The metering system 102 of the illustrated example may also determinetimes at which to prompt the audience members to enter information tothe metering system 102. In some examples, the metering system 102 ofFIG. 1 supports audio watermarking for people monitoring, which enablesthe metering system 102 to detect the presence of a panelist-identifyingmetering device in the vicinity (e.g., in the media presentationenvironment 104) of the media device 110. In some examples, the acousticsensor of the metering system 102 can sense example audio output 124(e.g., emitted) by an example panelist-identifying metering device 126,such as, for example, a wristband, a cell phone, etc., that is uniquelyassociated with a particular panelist. The audio output 124 by theexample panelist-identifying metering device 126 may include, forexample, one or more audio watermarks to facilitate identification ofthe panelist-identifying metering device 126 and/or the panelist 106associated with the panelist-identifying metering device 126.

The example media device 110 of the illustrated example shown in FIG. 1is a device that receives media from the media source 112 forpresentation. In some examples, the media device 110 is capable ofdirectly presenting media (e.g., via a display) while, in otherexamples, the media device 110 presents the media on separate mediapresentation equipment (e.g., speakers, a display, etc.). Thus, as usedherein, “media devices” may or may not be able to present media withoutassistance from a second device. Media devices are typically consumerelectronics. For example, the media device 110 could be a personalcomputer such as a laptop computer, and, thus, capable of directlypresenting media (e.g., via an integrated and/or connected display andspeakers). In some examples, the media device 110 can correspond to atelevision and/or display device that supports the National TelevisionStandards Committee (NTSC) standard, the Phase Alternating Line (PAL)standard, the Système Électronique pour Couleur avec Mémoire (SECAM)standard, a standard developed by the Advanced Television SystemsCommittee (ATSC), such as high definition television (HDTV), a standarddeveloped by the Digital Video Broadcasting (DVB) Project, etc.Advertising, such as an advertisement and/or a preview of otherprogramming that is or will be offered by the media source 112, etc., isalso typically included in the media. While a television is shown in theillustrated example, any other type(s) and/or number(s) of mediadevice(s) may additionally or alternatively be used. For example,Internet-enabled mobile handsets (e.g., a smartphone, an iPod®, etc.),video game consoles (e.g., Xbox®, PlayStation 3, etc.), tablet computers(e.g., an iPad®, a Motorola™ Xoom™, etc.), digital media players (e.g.,a Roku® media player, a Slingbox®, a Tivo®, etc.), smart televisions,desktop computers, laptop computers, servers, etc. may additionally oralternatively be used.

Although the media device 110 of the illustrated example is atelevision, the media device 110 can correspond to any type of audio,video and/or multimedia presentation device capable of presenting mediaaudibly and/or visually. In some examples, the media device 110 (e.g., atelevision) may communicate audio to another media presentation device(e.g., an audio/video receiver) for output by one or more speakers(e.g., surround sound speakers, a sound bar, etc.). As another example,the media device 110 can correspond to a multimedia computer system, apersonal digital assistant, a cellular/mobile smartphone, a radio, ahome theater system, stored audio and/or video played back from a memorysuch as a digital video recorder or a digital versatile disc, a webpage,and/or any other communication device capable of presenting media to anaudience (e.g., the panelists 106, 107 and 108).

The media source 112 may be any type of media provider(s), such as, butnot limited to, a cable media service provider, a radio frequency (RF)media provider, an Internet based provider (e.g., IPTV), a satellitemedia service provider, etc. The media may be radio media, televisionmedia, pay per view media, movies, Internet Protocol Television (IPTV),satellite television (TV), Internet radio, satellite radio, digitaltelevision, digital radio, stored media (e.g., a compact disk (CD), aDigital Versatile Disk (DVD), a Blu-ray disk, etc.), any other type(s)of broadcast, multicast and/or unicast medium, audio and/or video mediapresented (e.g., streamed) via the Internet, a video game, targetedbroadcast, satellite broadcast, video on demand, etc.

The example metering system 102 detects exposure to media andelectronically stores monitoring information (e.g., a code detected withthe presented media, a signature of the presented media, an identifierof a panelist present at the time of the presentation, a timestamp ofthe time of the presentation) of the presented media. The storedmonitoring information is then transmitted back to the central facility114 via the gateway 116 and the network 118. While the media monitoringinformation is transmitted by electronic transmission in the illustratedexample of FIG. 1, the media monitoring information may additionally oralternatively be transferred in any other manner, such as, for example,by physically mailing the metering system 102 (e.g., a meter and/or abase of the metering system 102), by physically mailing a memory of themetering system 102, etc.

The metering system 102 of the illustrated example of FIG. 1 combinesaudience measurement data and people metering data. For example,audience measurement data is determined by monitoring media output bythe media device 110 and/or other media presentation device(s), andaudience identification data (also referred to as demographic data,people monitoring data, etc.) is determined from people monitoring dataprovided to the metering system 102. Thus, the example metering system102 provides dual functionality of a content measurement meter tocollect content measurement data and people meter to collect and/orassociate demographic information corresponding to the collectedaudience measurement data.

For example, the meter collects media identifying information and/ordata (e.g., signature(s), fingerprint(s), code(s), tuned channelidentification information, time of exposure information, etc.) andpeople data (e.g., user identifiers, demographic data associated withaudience members, etc.). The media identifying information and thepeople data can be combined to generate, for example, media exposuredata (e.g., ratings data) indicative of amount(s) and/or type(s) ofpeople that were exposed to specific piece(s) of media distributed viathe media device 110. To extract media identification data, the meteringsystem 102 and/or the example audience measurement system 100 extractsand/or processes the collected media identifying information and/or datareceived by the metering system 102, which can be compared to referencedata to perform source and/or content identification. Any other type(s)and/or number of media monitoring techniques can be supported by themetering system 102.

Depending on the type(s) of metering the metering system 102 is toperform, the metering system 102 can be physically coupled to the mediadevice 110 or may be configured to capture signals emitted externally bythe media device 110 (e.g., free field audio) such that direct physicalcoupling to the media device 110 is not required. For example, themetering system 102 of the illustrated example can employ non-invasivemonitoring not involving any physical connection to the media device 110(e.g., via Bluetooth® connection, WIFI® connection, acousticwatermarking, etc.) and/or invasive monitoring involving one or morephysical connections to the media device 110 (e.g., via USB connection,a High Definition Media Interface (HDMI) connection, an Ethernet cableconnection, etc.).

In examples disclosed herein, to monitor media presented by the mediadevice 110, the metering system 102 of the illustrated example employsaudio watermarking techniques and/or signature based-meteringtechniques.

The metering system 102 of the illustrated example senses audio (e.g.,acoustic signals or ambient audio) output (e.g., emitted) by the mediadevice 110. For example, the metering system 102 processes signalsobtained from the media device 110 to detect media and/or sourceidentifying signals (e.g., audio watermarks) embedded in portion(s)(e.g., audio portions) of the media presented by the media device 110.To sense ambient audio output by the media device 110, the meteringsystem 102 of the illustrated example includes an example acousticsensor (e.g., a microphone of FIGS. 2A and 2B). In some examples, themetering system 102 can process audio signals and/or video signals togenerate respective audio and/or video signatures from the mediapresented by the media device 110.

To generate exposure data for the media, identification(s) of media towhich the audience is exposed are correlated with people data (e.g.,presence information) collected by the metering system 102. The meteringsystem 102 of the illustrated example collects inputs (e.g., audienceidentification data) representative of the identities of the audiencemember(s) (e.g., the panelists 106, 107 and 108). In some examples, themetering system 102 collects audience identification data byperiodically or aperiodically prompting audience members in themonitored media presentation environment 104 to identify themselves aspresent in the audience. In some examples, the metering system 102responds to predetermined events (e.g., when the media device 110 isturned on, a channel is changed, an infrared control signal is detected,etc.) by prompting the audience member(s) to self-identify. The audienceidentification data and the exposure data can then be complied with thedemographic data collected from audience members such as, for example,the panelists 106, 107 and 108 during registration to develop metricsreflecting, for example, the demographic composition of the audience.The demographic data includes, for example, age, gender, income level,educational level, marital status, geographic location, race, etc., ofthe panelist.

The example metering system 102 of FIG. 1 is a stationary device thatmay be disposed on or near the media device 110. FIG. 1 illustrates themetering system 102 positioned or spaced from the media device 110. Forexample, the metering system 102 of the illustrated example of FIG. 1 isplaced and/or coupled to (e.g., directly attached to) a stand 134 (e.g.,a mantel of a fireplace or a stand) positioned near (e.g., below) themedia device 110. However, in some examples, the metering system 102 canbe positioned on an edge (e.g., an upper edge 136) of the media device110. In some instances when the metering system 102 is attached to themedia device 110, speakers inside the media device 110 cause vibrationsthat can otherwise be imparted to the meter 102 of the metering system102.

FIG. 2A is a perspective, front view of the example metering system 102of FIG. 1 (e.g., a meter assembly). FIG. 2B is a perspective rear,partial cutaway view of the example metering system 102 of FIG. 1.Referring to FIGS. 2A and 2B, the metering system 102 includes a meter202 and a base 204. The meter 202 includes a processor, memory and/orsoftware to perform audience measurement and/or people monitoringfunctions. A front surface 206 of the housing presents the display 132of FIG. 1 that presents (e.g., illuminates) indicia representative ofpanelists 106, 107, 108 registered with the meter 202. To provide powerto the metering system 102, the meter 202 of the illustrated exampleincludes a battery (e.g., a rechargeable battery) located within ahousing 202 a of the meter 202 that can be charged via inductivecharging (e.g., wireless or cordless charging). For example, the meter202 can be removed from the base 204 and positioned on an induction padto charge the battery. In some examples, the battery of the meter 202can charge while positioned adjacent (e.g., aligned with) the base 204.In some examples, a rear surface 208 of the meter 202 can include one ormore connectors (e.g., a USB connector, an Ethernet connector, RJ45jack, Cat5e connector, a microUSB connector, coaxial cable connector,and/or any other type of connector(s)) to enable communication betweenthe meter 202 and the media device 110. In some examples, the meter 202communicatively couples to the media device 110 via Bluetoothcommunication, wireless communication, and/or any other communication.

The meter 202 of the illustrated example receives audio signals (e.g.,that include audio signatures) to identify media content presented bythe media device 110. To receive the audio signals, the meter 202 of theillustrated example includes one or more microphones 210 (e.g., otheraudio receiving or identification devices). Additionally, the meter 202of the illustrated example includes speakers 212 to output audio. A mainprinted circuit board (PCB) 214 of the illustrated example supports themicrophones 210 and the speakers 212. In other words, the microphones210 and the speakers 212 are coupled to the PCB 214. To receive the PCB214, the housing 202 a of the meter 202 of the illustrated example has acavity 216. In the illustrated example, the housing 202 a includesopenings 220 to receive audio (e.g., via the respective microphones 210)and/or openings 222 for audio output (e.g., via the respective speakers212). The openings 220 are in communication with (e.g., aligned)respective ones of the microphones 210 and the openings 222 are incommunication with (e.g., aligned) with respective ones of the speakers212. The openings 220, 222 are positioned on the front surface 206 andthe rear surface 208 of the meter 202. Thus, the speakers 212 of theillustrated example provide audio output towards the front surface 206of the meter 202 and the rear surface 208 of the meter 202. Similarly,the microphones 210 of the illustrated example receive audio from thefront surface 206 of the meter 202 and the rear surface 208 of the meter202. However, in some examples, the meter 202 can include only oneopening (e.g., one of the openings 222) and one speaker (e.g., one ofthe speakers 212) and/or one opening (e.g., one of the openings 220) andone microphone (e.g., one of the microphones 210).

To prevent degradation of the audio signal from the media device 110 dueto noise or vibrations, the microphones 210 of the illustrated exampleare physically decoupled or isolated from the base 204, the media device110, and/or the stand 134. To isolate the microphones 210, the meter 202of the illustrated example includes a gap 224 (e.g., an air gap) betweenthe base 204 and the meter 202 (e.g., the housing 202 a). Specifically,the gap 224 between the base 204 and the meter 202 provides an insulatorthat insulates the meter 202 from vibrations or other noise imparted tothe base 204.

To provide the gap 224 between the meter 202 and the base 204, themetering system 102 of the illustrated example employs a magneticlevitating system 226. The magnetic levitating system 226 of theillustrated example levitates the meter 202 relative to the base 204. Asused herein, “magnetically levitates” means that the meter 202 (e.g.,the housing 202 a) in its entirety is elevated or spaced from the base204 by a distance defined by the gap 224. In other words, all surfacesof the meter 202 (e.g., the housing 202 a) are decoupled or detachedfrom the base 204 (e.g., by a distance defined by the gap 224). To thisend, the meter 202 levitates or hovers relative to the base 204 suchthat the housing 202 does not physically contact the base 204. In otherwords, the meter 202 of the illustrated example is completely detachedfrom the base 204 and/or the meter 202 is (e.g., the microphones 210are) not affected by vibrations imparted to the base 204 by audio of themedia device 110. The gap 224 formed between the meter 202 and the base204 via the magnetic levitating system 226 dampens noise or vibrationsand/or prevents noise or vibrations imparted to the base from travelingto the meter 202 and/or being received by the microphones 210 of themeter 202. The magnetic levitation system 226 of the illustrated exampleisolates the meter 202 from the base 204 and, thus, the microphones 210from noise that can otherwise be picked up by microphones 210 of themeter 202 caused by vibrations induced to the base 204 and/or the stand134 by the audio of the media device 110 when the base 204 is in contactwith the stand 134. In this manner, the meter 202 is decoupled ordetached from the base 204 and the gap 224 dampens and/or insulates themeter 202 from vibrations. As a result, vibrations caused by the audiosource of the media device 110 do not degrade detection of the audiosignal output by the media device 110. Magnetically levitating thehousing 202 a of the meter 202 (e.g., entirely relative to the base 204)improves audio quality and/or audio detection accuracy and significantlyreduces costs compared to alternative metering devices that isolateindividual microphones.

As used herein “magnetically levitates” means that a significant portionof the meter 202 is (e.g., entirely) decoupled relative to the base 204.As used herein, “a significant portion” means approximately between 75%to 100% of a surface area of the meter 202 that is oriented toward oneor more surfaces of the base and/or a surface area of the meter 202 thatwould otherwise engage or contact the base 204 is detached or decoupledfrom the base 204 (e.g., a meter 700 of FIG. 7).

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the example metering system 102 of FIGS.1, 2A and 2B. The metering system 102 of the illustrated exampleincludes the meter 202, the base 204 and the magnetic levitating system226. The magnetic levitating system 226 of the illustrated exampleincludes a plurality of housing magnets 302 (e.g., a first set ofmagnets) and a plurality of base magnets 304 (e.g., a second set ofmagnets). The meter 202 supports or includes the housing magnets 302 andthe base includes or supports the base magnets 304. When coupled to themeter 202, respective ones of the housing magnets 302 align orcorrespond with respective ones of the base magnets 304. Specifically, apolarity of the housing magnets 302 is positioned to repel a polarity ofthe base magnets 304 to cause the meter 202 to levitate relative to thebase 204. In other words, the same polarities of the housing magnets 302and the base magnets are oriented toward each other to cause the housingmagnets 302 to repeal the base magnets 304. In the illustrated example,the housing magnets include a first housing magnet 302 a, a secondhousing magnet 302 b, a third housing magnet 302 c, a fourth housingmagnet 302 d, a fifth housing magnet 302 e, and a sixth housing magnet302 f Similarly, the base magnets include a first base magnet 304 a, asecond base magnet 304 b, a third base magnet 304 c, a fourth basemagnet 304 d, a fifth base magnet 304 e, and a sixth base magnet 304 f.Thus, the meter 202 of the illustrated example includes six housingmagnets 302 and the base 204 includes six base magnets 304. In someexamples, the metering system 102 (e.g., the meter 202 and the base 204)can include any number of magnets less than six (e.g., 2, 4, etc.) orgreater than six (e.g., 8, 10, etc.).

The housing magnets 302 a-f and the base magnets 304 a-f have the samedimensional profiles (e.g., (e.g., width, length, thickness). In theillustrated example, each of the housing magnets 302 and each of thebase magnets 304 have a rectangular shape. However, in some examples,the housing magnets 302 and/or the base magnets 304 can have a roundshape, a triangular shape, a square shape, and/or any other shape. Insome examples, each of the housing magnets 302 a-f and each of the basemagnets 304 a-f can have different dimensions. Additionally, the housingmagnets 302 a-d and the base magnets 304 a-d have the same magneticintensity. In some examples, the housing magnets 302 a-d and the basemagnets 304 a-d have different magnetic intensity.

FIG. 4A is a perspective view of the meter 202 of the example meteringsystem 102 of FIGS. 1, 2A, 2B, and 3. FIG. 4B is a front view of theexample meter 202 of FIG. 4A. FIG. 4C is a bottom view of the examplemeter 202 of FIG. 4A. FIG. 4D is a side view of the example meter 202 ofFIG. 4A. FIG. 4E is a cross-sectional, side view of the meter 202 takenalong line 4-4 of FIG. 4A. FIG. 4F is a cross-sectional, perspectiveview of the meter 202 taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 4A.

Referring to FIGS. 4A-4F, the meter 202 of the illustrated exampleincludes an upper portion 402 (e.g., an upper body) and a lower housingportion 404 (e.g., a lower body) that define the cavity 216. The upperportion 402 includes upper side walls 406 and the lower housing portion404 include lower housing side walls 408.

For example, the upper portion 402 of the illustrated example includes afirst upper housing side wall 406 a (e.g., a front-side upper housingwall), a second upper housing side wall 406 b (e.g., a rear-side upperhousing wall), a third upper housing side wall 406 c (e.g., a left-sideupper housing wall), and a fourth upper housing side wall 406 d (e.g., aright-side upper housing wall). The first upper housing side wall 406 adefines the front surface 206 of the meter 202 and the second upperhousing side wall 406 b defines the rear surface 208 of the meter 202.The third upper housing side wall 406 c and the fourth upper housingside wall 406 d are end walls. The first upper housing side wall 406 aand the second upper housing side wall 406 b are substantially parallelrelative to a plane taken along a first axis 410 (e.g., a longitudinalaxis) of the meter 202. As used herein, “substantially parallel” meansperfectly parallel or almost parallel (e.g., within 10 degrees ofperfectly parallel). The first upper housing side wall 406 a and/or thesecond upper housing side wall 406 b are substantially perpendicularrelative to an upper housing wall 412 (e.g., a top wall or surface). Asused herein, substantially perpendicular means perfectly perpendicular(e.g., exactly a 90 degree angle) or almost perpendicular (e.g., within10 degrees of perfectly perpendicular). In other words, the first upperhousing side wall 406 a and the second upper housing side wall 406 b arevertical walls and the upper housing wall 412 is a horizontal wall inthe orientation of FIGS. 4A-4F.

The first upper housing side wall 406 a and the second upper housingside wall 406 b have trapezoidal shapes. To this end, the third upperhousing side wall 406 c tapers outwardly from the upper housing wall 412to an interface 414 formed between the upper portion 402 and the lowerhousing portion 404. Likewise, the fourth upper housing side wall 406 dtapers outwardly from the upper housing wall 412 to the interface 414.The third upper housing side wall 406 c and the upper housing wall 412form a first upper housing angle 416 a and the fourth upper housing sidewall 406 d and the upper housing wall 412 form a second upper housingangle 416 b. In the illustrated example, the fourth upper housing sidewall 406 d is symmetrical (e.g., identical) to the third upper housingside wall 406 c. In other words, the third upper housing side wall 406 cis a mirror of the fourth upper housing side wall 406 d relative to asecond axis 418 (e.g., an axis substantially perpendicular to the firstaxis 410) of the meter 202. The second axis 418 is substantiallyperpendicular to the first axis 410. Thus, the first upper housing angle416 a and the second upper housing angle 416 b of the illustratedexample are symmetrical (e.g., identical). In the illustrated example,the first upper housing angle 416 a and the second upper housing angle416 b are between 10 degrees and 80 degrees. For example, the firstupper housing angle 416 a and the second upper housing angle 416 b canbe 45 degrees. In some examples, the first upper housing angle 416 a isdifferent (e.g., greater or less) than the second upper housing angle416 b. In some examples, the first upper housing side wall 406 a and/orthe second upper housing side wall 406 b can be tapered relative to(e.g., toward) the upper housing wall 412. In some examples, the thirdupper housing side wall 406 c is not tapered (e.g., substantiallyparallel) relative to the fourth upper housing side wall 406 d. In someexamples, the third upper housing side wall 406 c and/or the fourthupper housing side wall 406 d is substantially perpendicular relative tothe upper housing wall 412. In some examples, the upper portion 402 hasa rectangular shape. In some examples, the upper portion 402 defines aspherical shape, a square shape and/or any other shape.

The lower housing portion 404 of the illustrated example includes afirst lower housing side wall 408 a (e.g., a front lower housing wall),a second lower housing side wall 408 b (e.g., a rear lower housingwall), a third lower housing side wall 408 c (e.g., a left lower housingwall), and a fourth lower housing side wall 408 d (e.g., a right lowerhousing wall). The third lower housing side wall 408 c and the fourthlower housing side wall 408 d are end walls. The lower housing sidewalls 408 a-d taper inwardly from the interface 414 to a lower housingwall 422 (e.g., a bottom lower housing wall). The lower housing sidewalls 408 a-d and the lower housing wall 422 define a trapezoidal shape.For example, the first lower housing side wall 408 a and the lowerhousing wall 422 form a first lower housing angle 424 a, the secondlower housing side wall 408 b and the lower housing wall 422 form asecond lower housing angle 424 b, the third lower housing side wall 408c and the lower housing wall 422 form a third lower housing angle 424 cand the fourth upper housing side wall and the lower housing wall 422form a fourth lower housing angle 424 d. The first, second, third andfourth lower housing angles 424 a-d of the illustrated example areequal. Each of the lower housing angles 424 a-d can be betweenapproximately 10 degrees and 90 degrees. In some examples, one the lowerhousing angles 424 a-d can be different than another one of the otherlower housing angles 424 a-d. In some examples, the lower housingportion 404 has a rectangular shape, a square shape, a spherical shape,and/or any other shape.

The lower housing portion 404 supports the plurality of housing magnets302. In particular, the housing magnets 302 are located adjacent (e.g.about) a perimeter of the lower housing portion 404. Specifically, thelower housing side walls 408 a-d support the housing magnets 302. Forexample, the first lower housing side wall 420 a supports the firsthousing magnet 302 a and the second housing magnet 302 b. The secondlower housing side wall 420 b supports the third housing magnet 302 cand the fourth housing magnet 302 d. The third lower housing side wall408 c supports the fifth housing magnet 302 e, and the fourth lowerhousing side wall 420 d supports the sixth housing magnet 302 f.

The housing magnets 302 are positioned within respective aperturesformed in the lower housing side walls 408 a-d. Additionally, outersurfaces 426 of the housing magnets 302 are positioned at angles thatare complementary to the angles of the corresponding lower housing sidewalls 408 a-d to which the housing magnets 302 a-f are attached. Forexample, the outer surfaces 426 of the housing magnets 302 arepositioned at angles corresponding to angles of the lower housing sidewalls 408 a-d. In the illustrated example, the outer surfaces 426 of thehousing magnets 302 are substantially flush (e.g., flush mounted)relative to (e.g., outer surfaces of) the lower housing side walls 408a-d. As used herein, “substantially flush” means that the outer surfaces426 of the housing magnets 302 form a continuous or smooth transitionwith corresponding ones of the lower housing side walls 408 a-d when thehousing magnets 302 a-f are coupled to the corresponding lower housingside walls 408 a-d. For example, the outer surfaces 426 of the first andsecond housing magnets 302 a-b are substantially flush with the firstlower housing side wall 408 a, the outer surfaces 426 of the third andfourth housing magnets 302 c-d are substantially flush with the secondlower housing side wall 408 b, the outer surface 426 of the fifthhousing magnet 302 e is substantially flush with the third lower housingside wall 408 c, and the outer surface 426 of the sixth housing magnet302 f is substantially flush with the fourth lower housing side wall 408d. In some examples, the outer surfaces 426 of the housing magnets 302may be offset (e.g., recessed or protruding from outer surfaces of) thecorresponding ones of the lower housing side walls 408 a-d. In someexamples, however, the housing magnets 302 are located within therespective housing lower side walls and/or the housing lower wall 422.In some such examples, the housing magnets 302 are not visible from anexterior (e.g., an exterior of the housing lower side walls 408) of thehousing 302. In some examples, the housing lower side walls 408 and/orthe housing lower wall 422 can be composed of a magnetic material.

The first and second housing magnets 302 a-b and the third and fourthhousing magnets 302 c-d are positioned symmetrically relative to thefirst axis 410 and the second axis 418. Additionally, the fifth housingmagnet 302 e and the sixth housing magnet 302 f are symmetricallylocated relative to the first axis 410 and the second axis 418. A length428 of the meter 202 is significantly greater than a width 430 of themeter 202. For example, the length 428 can be between approximately 8 to10 times the size of the width 430. In the illustrated example, thelength 428 is approximately 10.8 inches and the width 430 isapproximately 1.2 inches. The lower housing portion 404 protrudes fromthe interface 414 a height 432 (e.g., a vertical distance in theorientation of FIGS. 4A-4F) of approximately between 0.47 inches and 0.6inches.

The housing magnets 302 can be formed with the meter 202 via insertmolding, over molding, additive manufacturing, can be coupled to thebody via fasteners (e.g., chemical fasteners such as adhesive, etc.)and/or may be coupled to the meter 202 via any other suitablemanufacturing and/or fastening technique(s).

FIG. 5A is a perspective, top view of the example base 204 of FIGS. 1,2A, 2B, and 3. FIG. 5B is a top view of the example base 204 of FIG. 5A.FIG. 5C is a perspective, bottom view of the example base 204 of FIGS.5A and 5B. FIG. 5D is a cross-sectional front view of the example base204 of FIGS. 5A-5C. FIG. 5E is a front view of the example base 204 ofFIGS. 5A-5D. FIG. 5F is a cross-sectional side view of the example base204 of FIGS. 5A-5E. FIG. 5G is a side view of the example base 204 ofFIGS. 5A-5F.

Referring to FIGS. 5A-5G, the base 204 of the illustrated exampledefines a cavity 502 (e.g., a well, a recess, etc.) and a mountingsurface 504. The mounting surface 504 is substantially planar and ispositionable on the stand 134. The base 204 includes base outer sidewalls 506 and a lower outer wall 508. The lower outer wall 508 definesthe mounting surface 504. The base outer side walls 506 include a firstbase outer side wall 506 a (e.g., a front outer side wall), a secondbase outer side wall 504 b (e.g., a rear outer side wall), a third baseouter side wall 506 c (e.g., a left-side outer wall), and a fourth baseouter side wall 506 d (e.g., a right-side outer wall). The first baseouter side wall 506 a is opposite the second base outer side wall 506 band the third base outer side wall 506 c is opposite the fourth baseouter side wall 506 d. Each of the base outer side walls 506 has atrapezoidal shape or profile. The base outer side walls 506 taperinwardly from the lower outer wall 508 towards an upper edge 510 (e.g.,an upper surface) of the base 204. For example, the first base outerside wall 506 a and the lower outer wall 508 form a first outer baseangle 512 a, the second base outer side wall 506 b and the lower outerwall 508 form a second outer base angle 512 b, the third base outer sidewall 506 c and the lower outer wall 508 form a third outer base angle512 c, and the fourth base outer side wall 506 d and the lower outerwall 508 form a fourth outer bae angle 512 d. The outer base angles 512a-d of the illustrated example are equal. For example, the outer baseangles 512 a-d can be approximately between 10 degrees and 80 degrees.

The base 204 includes base inner side walls 514 and a lower inner wall516 that define the cavity 502. For example, the base 204 includes afirst base inner side wall 514 a, a second base inner side wall 514 b, athird base inner side wall 514 c, and a fourth base inner side wall 514d. The base inner side walls 514 taper inwardly from the upper edge 510of the base 204 to the lower inner wall 516. For example, the first baseinner side wall 514 a and the lower inner wall 516 form a first baseinner angle 518 a, the second base inner side wall 514 b and the lowerinner wall 516 form a second base inner angle 518 b, the third baseinner side wall 514 c and the lower inner wall 516 form a third baseinner angle 518 c, and the fourth base inner side wall 514 d and thelower inner wall 516 form a fourth base inner angle 518 d. For example,the base inner angles 518 a-d can be approximately between 100 degreesand 165 degrees. In the illustrated example, the base inner angles 518a-d are equal. However, in some examples, one or more of the base innerangles 518 a-d can be different than one or more of other ones of thebase inner angles 518 a-d.

The base 204 supports the plurality of base magnets 304. Specifically,the base inner side walls 514 support the base magnets 304. For example,the first base inner side wall 514 a supports a first base magnet 304 aand a second base magnet 304 b. The second base inner side wall 514 bsupports a third base magnet 304 c and a fourth base magnet 304 d. Thethird base inner side wall 514 c supports a fifth base magnet 304 e, andthe fourth base inner side wall 514 d supports a sixth base magnet 304f. The base magnets 304 are located adjacent (e.g. about) a perimeter ofthe base 204.

The base magnets 304 are positioned within respective apertures formedin the base inner side walls 514. Additionally, outer surfaces 520 ofthe base magnets 304 are positioned at angles that are complementary tothe angles of the corresponding base inner side walls 514 a-d to whichthe base magnets 304 a-f are attached. In the illustrated example, theouter surfaces 520 of the base magnets 304 are substantially flush(e.g., flush mounted) relative to (e.g., outer surfaces of) the baseinner side walls 514 a-d. As used herein, “substantially flush” meansthat the outer surfaces 520 of the base magnets 304 form a continuous orsmooth surface or transition with corresponding ones of the base innerside walls 514 a-d when the base magnets 304 a-f are coupled to the baseinner side walls 514 a-d. For example, the outer surfaces 520 of thefirst and second base magnets 304 a-b are substantially flush with thefirst base inner side wall 514 a, the outer surfaces 520 of the thirdand fourth base magnets 304 c-d are substantially flush with the secondbase inner side wall 514 b, the outer surface 520 of the fifth basemagnet 304 e is substantially flush with the third base inner side wall514 c, and the outer surface 520 of the sixth base magnet 30 rf issubstantially flush with the fourth base inner side wall 514 d. In someexamples, the outer surfaces 520 of the base magnets 304 may be offset(e.g., recessed or protruding from outer surfaces of) the correspondingones of the base inner side walls 514 a-d. In some examples, however,the base magnets 304 are located within the respective base inner sidewalls 514 and/or the base lower inner wall 516. In some such examples,the base magnets 304 are not visible from an exterior (e.g., an exteriorof the base inner side walls 514 and/or the lower inner wall 516 of thebase 204). In some examples, the base inner side walls 514 and/or thebase inner wall 516 can be composed of a magnetic material.

The first and second base magnets 304 a-b and the third and fourth basemagnets 304 c-d are positioned symmetrically relative to a first orlongitudinal axis 522 and a second or latitudinal axis 524 of the base204. Additionally, the fifth base magnet 304 e and the sixth base magnet304 f are symmetrically located relative to the longitudinal axis 522and the latitudinal axis 524. A length 526 of the base 204 issignificantly greater than a width 528 of the base 204. For example, thelength 526 can be between approximately 8 to 10 times the size of thewidth 528. In the illustrated example, the length 526 is approximately11.47 inches and the width 528 is approximately 1.87 inches. The cavity502 has a height 530 (e.g., a vertical distance in the orientation ofFIGS. 5A-5F) between the upper edge 510 and the lower inner wall 516 ofapproximately between 0.53 inches and 0.7 inches. Referring to FIG. 5D,the cavity 502 has an inverted trapezoidal cross-sectional shape.

The base magnets 304 can be formed with the base 204 via insert molding,over molding, additive manufacturing, can be coupled to the base 204 viafasteners (e.g., chemical fasteners such as adhesive, etc.) and/or maybe coupled to the base 204 via any other suitable manufacturing and/orfastening technique(s). In some examples, different sized magnets can beused. For example, magnets having different forces and/or surface areascan be used to cause the meter 202 to levitate relative to the base 204.For example, a strength of a magnet force can be proportional to a massof the meter 202 or a number of magnets needed to levitate the meter 202relative to the base 204.

FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional front view of the metering system 102 ofFIGS. 1, 2A, 2B and 3. FIG. 6B is a perspective cross-sectional sideview of the example metering system of FIGS. 1, 2A, 2B, and 3. FIG. 6Cis a cross-sectional side view of the example metering system 102 ofFIGS. 1, 2A, 2B, and 3.

Referring to FIGS. 6A-6C, the base 204 receives at least a portion ofthe meter 202. Specifically, the cavity 502 of the base 204 receives thelower housing portion 404 of the meter 202. In the illustrated example,the interface 414 of the meter 202 is located adjacent the upper edge510 of the base 204 and the lower housing side walls 408 of the meter202 extend or project in the cavity 502. Although the lower housing sidewalls 408 are positioned in the cavity 502, the meter 202 levitatesrelative to the base 204. Thus, the meter 202 is detached or decoupled(e.g., physically decoupled) from the base 204. In other words, themeter 202 nests (e.g., hovers) within the cavity 502 of the base 204.For instance, the meter 202 hovers relative to the base 204. Forexample, the lower housing side walls 408 are spaced from the base innerside walls 514 of the base 204 and the lower housing wall 422 is spacedfrom the lower inner wall 516. In particular, the lower housing sidewalls 408 are spaced from the base inner side walls 514 by a distancedefined the gap 224. For example, the gap 224 can be betweenapproximately 1/10 of an inch or ⅜ of an inch (e.g., ⅛^(th) of an inch).

Additionally, the base inner side walls 514 of the base 204 maintain themeter 202 aligned (e.g., centered) relative to the base 204. In otherwords, the first axis 410 of the meter 202 is substantially aligned withthe longitudinal axis 522 of the base 204 and the second axis 418 of themeter 202 is substantially aligned with the latitudinal axis 524 of thebase 204. As used herein, “substantially aligned” means perfectlyaligned (e.g. co-planar or parallel) or almost perfectly aligned (e.g.,within 10 percent of perfectly aligned). When the meter 202 nests orhovers with the base 204, the lower housing side walls 408 of the meter202 are complementary (e.g., substantially parallel) to the base innerside walls 514 of the base 204 and the lower housing wall 422 of thelower housing portion 404 of the meter 202 is complementary (e.g.,substantially parallel) relative to the lower inner wall 516 of the base204.

To enable the meter 202 to levitate relative to the base 204, respectiveones of the housing magnets 302 align with respective ones of the basemagnets 304. For example, the first housing magnet 302 a directly aligns(e.g., opposes) with the first base magnet 304 a, the second housingmagnet 302 b directly aligns (e.g., opposes) with second base magnet 304b, the third housing magnet 302 c directly aligns (e.g., opposes) withthird base magnet 304 c, the fourth housing magnet 302 d directly aligns(e.g., opposes) with fourth base magnet 304 d, the fifth housing magnet302 e directly aligns (e.g., opposes) with fifth base magnet 304 e, andthe sixth housing magnet 302 f directly aligns (e.g., opposes) withsixth base magnet 304 f. The housing magnets 302 and the base magnets304 have the same polarity oriented toward each other. As a result, thehousing magnets 302 and the base magnets 304 repel or oppose each otherto generate a force 602 that causes the meter 202 to levitate relativeto (e.g., move away from) the base 204. In other words, the meter 202 isspaced from the base 204 by the gap 224. Specifically, the entirety ofthe meter 202 is spaced or offset from the base 204 by the gap 224.

In operation, the gap 224 (e.g., the insulator or air gap) preventsvibrations imparted to the base 204 from reaching the meter 202 and,thus, the microphones 210 of the meter 202. The magnetic levitationsystem 226 of the illustrated example isolates the meter 202 from thebase 204 by causing the meter 202 to move away (e.g., lift away) fromthe base 204. By isolating or levitating the meter 202 relative to thebase 204, the microphones 210 can be coupled to the printed circuitboard. As a result, the metering system 102 of the illustrated exampleprovides improved audio quality at reduced costs to alternatives thatisolate individual microphones in a housing (e.g., the meter 202). Inother words, magnetically levitating an entire housing reduces costs ascompared with approaches where each microphone is isolated.

Additionally, to help maintain levitation and/or alignment of the meter202 relative to the base 204, the lower housing side walls 408 arecomplementary (e.g., substantially parallel) relative to the base innerside walls 514 of the base 204. For example, the first base inner wall514 a is oriented toward the first housing lower wall 408 a, the secondbase inner wall 514 b is oriented toward the second housing lower wall408 b, the third base inner wall 514 c is oriented toward the thirdhousing lower wall 408 c, and the fourth base inner side wall 514 d isoriented toward the fourth housing lower side wall 514 d. In someexamples, the first base inner side wall 514 a is substantially parallelrelative to the first housing lower side wall 408 a, the second baseinner side wall 514 b is substantially parallel relative to the secondhousing lower side wall 408 b, the third base inner side wall 514 c issubstantially parallel relative to the third housing lower side wall 408c, and the fourth base inner side wall 514 d is substantially parallelrelative to the fourth housing lower side wall 408 d. In this manner,the base 204 retains the meter 202 within the cavity 502 of the base 204when the meter 202 becomes misaligned relative to the base 204. Forexample, the meter 202 can become misaligned relative to the base 204 inresponse to a respective one of the housing magnets 302 moving out ofalignment relative to a respective one of the base magnets 304. Forinstance, if the meter 202 is bumped such that the polarity of thehousing magnets 302 do not repel the polarity of the base magnets 304,the meter 202 is retained within the cavity 502 of the base 204 and doesnot fall away from the base 204 (e.g., and off the stand 134). Forexample, when the housing magnets 302 are misaligned relative to thebase magnets 304, the lower housing side walls 408 of the meter 202 movein direct contact with the base inner side walls 514 of the base 204.

FIGS. 7-10 illustrate other example metering systems 700-1000 disclosedherein. Many of the components of FIGS. 7-10 are substantially similaror identical to the components described above in connection with FIGS.1, 2A, 2B, 3, 4A-E, 5A-5F, and 6A-6C. As such, those components will notbe described in detail again below. Instead, the interested reader isreferred to the above corresponding descriptions for a complete writtendescription of the structure and operation of such components. Tofacilitate this process, similar or identical reference numbers will beused for like structures in FIGS. 7-10 as used in FIGS. 1, 2A, 2B, 3,4A-E, 5A-5F, and 6A-6C.

FIG. 7 is another example metering system 700 disclosed herein. Themetering system 700 of the illustrated example includes a meter 702, abase 704 and a magnetic levitation system 226. The meter 702 and thebase 704 are substantially similar to the meter 202 and the base 204 ofFIGS. 1, 2A, 2B, 3, 4A-E, 5A-5F, and 6A-6C. However, the meter 702 ofthe illustrated example includes a locating pin 706 and the base 704includes a locating pin aperture 708 to receive the locating pin 706.The locating pin 706 protrudes from a lower surface 710 of the meter 702and the locating pin aperture 708 is formed in a lower surface 712 ofthe base 704. In some examples, the meter 702 includes a plurality oflocating pins and the base 704 includes a plurality of locating pinapertures to receive corresponding ones of the locating pins. In someexamples, the base 704 includes the locating pin 706 and the meter 702includes the locating pin aperture 708. The locating pin 706 stabilizesand/or centers (e.g., aligns) the meter 702 relative to the base 704.Although the meter 702 levitates relative to the base 704 via themagnetic levitation system 226, the meter 702 is coupled to the base 704via the locating pin 706. However, the locating pin 706 provides arelatively small travel path for vibrations imparted to the base 704 totravel to the meter 702. Therefore, the vibrations imparted to the meter702 are negligible and do not affect performance of microphones (e.g.,the microphones 210 of FIGS. 2A and 2B) located in the meter 702.

FIG. 8 is another example metering system 800 disclosed herein. Themetering system 800 of the illustrated example includes a meter 802 anda base 204. To provide power to the meter 800, the meter 802 of theillustrated example includes a battery (e.g., a rechargeable battery).The battery is accessible via a panel 804 (e.g., a door) removablecoupled to a rear surface 208 of the meter 800.

FIG. 9 is another example metering system 900 disclosed herein. Themetering system 900 of the illustrated example includes a meter 902 anda base 204. To provide power to the metering system 900, the meter 902of the illustrated example includes a power cord 904.

In some examples, the metering system disclosed herein can employwireless powering system. For example, the base 204 can include a powertransmitter with a relatively large inductor and the meter 202 includesa receiving inductor to capture power from the power transmitter locatedin the base 204. In some such examples, the base 204 includes a powercord (e.g., the power cord 904) to couple to a power source (e.g., anwall power outlet).

FIG. 10 is another example metering system 1000 disclosed herein. Themetering system 1000 of the illustrated example includes a meter 1002and a base 1004. The meter 1002 includes a plurality of housing magnets1006 and the base 1004 includes a plurality of base magnets 1008. Thehousing magnets 1006 are provided on a lower housing portion 404 of themeter 1002. For example, the housing magnets 1006 are provided on lowerportion side walls 1010 (e.g., lower housing side walls 408 a-d) and alower wall portion 1012. The base magnets 1008 are provided are innerside walls 1014 and a lower wall 1016. The housing magnets 1006 and thebase magnets 1008 are round magnets and the polarities are oriented torepeal each other to cause the meter 1002 to levitate relative to thebase 1004 when the meter 1002 is aligned with the base 1004.

Although each example metering system 102, 700, 800, 900 and 1000disclosed above have certain features (e.g., sensors), it should beunderstood that it is not necessary for a particular feature of oneexample metering system 102, 700, 800, 900 and 1000 to be usedexclusively with that example. Instead, any of the features of theexample metering systems 102, 700, 800, 900 and 1000 described aboveand/or depicted in the drawings can be combined with any of the examplemetering systems 102, 700, 800, 900 and 1000, in addition to or insubstitution for any of the other features of those examples. Oneexample's features are not mutually exclusive to another example'sfeatures. Instead, the scope of this disclosure encompasses anycombination of any of the features. In some examples, a meter disclosedin accordance with the teachings of this disclosure may have acombination of the features of the example metering systems 102, 700,800, 900 and 1000 disclosed herein.

At least some of the aforementioned examples include one or morefeatures and/or benefits including, but not limited to, the following:

Example 1 includes a metering system for monitoring a media device, themetering system comprising a meter having a display to present indiciaassociated with a panelist, the meter having a microphone to receiveaudio output from the media device and circuitry to perform mediamonitoring, and a base having a cavity to receive at least a portion ofthe meter, the meter to magnetically levitate relative to the base todecouple the meter from the base.

Example 2 includes the metering system of example 1, wherein the meteris to detach entirely from the base when the meter levitates relative tothe base.

Example 3 includes the metering system of example 1, wherein the meterincludes a plurality of housing magnets and the base includes aplurality of base magnets, respective ones of the housing magnets alignwith respective ones of the base magnets, the housing magnets to repelthe base magnets to cause the meter to levitate relative to the base.

Example 4 includes the metering system of example 3, wherein the meterand the base form a gap therebetween when the meter levitates relativeto the base.

Example 5 includes the metering system of example 4, wherein the gap isapproximately between 1 millimeter and 2 millimeters.

Example 6 includes the metering system of example 4, wherein the gapbetween the meter and the base provides an insulator to dampenvibrations imparted to the base to prevent the microphone from sensingnoise generated from the vibrations.

Example 7 includes the metering system of example 1, wherein the baseincludes a plurality of base inner side walls defining the cavity andthe meter includes a plurality of lower housing side walls defining,wherein the base inner side walls define a shape that is complementaryto a shape defined by the lower housing side walls.

Example 8 includes the metering system of example 7, wherein the baseinner side walls include a first base inner side wall, a second baseinner side wall, a third base inner side wall, and a fourth base innerside wall, the meter including a first lower housing side wall, a secondlower housing side wall, a third lower housing side wall and a fourthlower housing side wall, wherein the first base inner side wall isoriented toward the first lower housing side wall, the second base innerside wall is oriented toward the second lower housing side wall, thethird base inner side wall is oriented toward the third lower housingside wall, and the fourth base inner side wall is oriented toward thefourth lower housing side wall example 9 includes the metering system ofexample 8, wherein the first base inner side wall is substantiallyparallel relative to the first lower housing side wall, the second baseinner side wall is substantially parallel relative to the second lowerhousing side wall, the third base inner side wall is substantiallyparallel relative to the third lower housing side wall, and the fourthbase inner side wall is substantially parallel relative to the fourthlower housing side wall.

Example 10 includes a meter comprising a housing, a microphone withinthe housing to receive audio from a media device and circuitry toperform media monitoring, and a plurality of magnets to align withcorresponding base magnets of a base, the plurality of magnets to causethe housing to levitate relative to the base to form an air gaptherebetween.

Example 11 includes the meter of example 10, wherein the plurality ofmagnets are positioned about a perimeter of the housing.

Example 12 includes the meter of example 10, wherein the housingincludes a lower portion defined by one or more housing lower sidewalls, the one or more housing lower side walls to be partially receivedby a cavity of the base.

Example 13 includes the meter of example 12, wherein the lower portionof the meter includes a first plurality of housing magnets positionedalong a perimeter of the lower portion.

Example 14 includes the meter of example 12, wherein the lower portionincludes a first housing lower side wall, a second housing lower sidewall, a third housing lower side wall and a fourth housing lower sidewall, the first housing lower side wall is oriented opposite the secondhousing lower side wall, and the third housing lower side wall isoriented opposite the fourth housing lower side wall.

Example 15 includes the meter of example 14, wherein the first housinglower side wall includes a first housing magnet and a second housingmagnet, the second housing lower side wall includes a third housingmagnet and a fourth housing magnet, the third housing lower side wallincludes a fifth housing magnet and the fourth housing lower side wallincludes a sixth housing magnet.

Example 16 includes a base for use with a media meter, the basecomprising a body defining a cavity to receive at least a portion of amedia meter, and a plurality of base magnets positioned within thecavity, the base magnets to align with housing magnets of the mediameter, the base magnets to repel the housing magnets to cause the mediameter to levitate relative to the base to form an air gap therebetween.

Example 17 includes the base of example 16, wherein the base magnets arepositioned about a perimeter of the base.

Example 18 includes the base of example 16, wherein the base is to bepositioned on a surface that supports a media device.

Example 19 includes the base of example 16, wherein base includes afirst base inner side wall, a second base inner side wall, a third baseinner side wall and a fourth base inner side wall defining the cavity,the first base inner side wall is oriented opposite the second baseinner side wall, and the third base inner side wall is oriented oppositethe fourth base inner side wall.

Example 20 includes the base of example 19, wherein the first base innerside wall includes a first base magnet and a second base magnet, thesecond base inner side wall includes a third base magnet and a fourthbase magnet, the third base inner side wall includes a fifth basemagnet, and fourth base inner side wall includes a sixth base magnet.

Although certain example apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacturehave been disclosed herein, the scope of coverage of this patent is notlimited thereto. On the contrary, this patent covers all apparatus,methods, and articles of manufacture fairly falling within the scope ofthe claims of this patent.

What is claimed is:
 1. A metering system comprising: a meter having a display to present indicia associated with a panelist, the meter having a microphone to receive audio output from a media device and circuitry to perform media monitoring; and a base including a cavity to receive at least a portion of the meter, the meter to magnetically levitate relative to the base to decouple the meter from the base, the base and the meter structured to fix a rotational position of the meter relative to the base when the at least the portion of the meter is received by the cavity of the base and the meter levitates relative to the base.
 2. The metering system of claim 1, wherein the meter is to detach entirely from the base when the meter levitates relative to the base to isolate the microphone from the base to reduce degradation of an audio signal received by the microphone when the cavity of the base receives the lower housing of the meter.
 3. The metering system of claim 1, wherein meter nests within the cavity of the base to maintain the meter aligned relative to the base when the meter levitates relative to the base.
 4. The metering system of claim 1, wherein the meter structured to decouple from the base in response to moving the meter away from the base.
 5. The metering system of claim 1, wherein the meter includes a plurality of housing magnets and the base includes a plurality of base magnets, respective ones of the housing magnets align with respective ones of the base magnets, the housing magnets to repel the base magnets to cause the meter to levitate relative to the base.
 6. The metering system of claim 5, wherein the meter and the base form a gap therebetween when the meter levitates relative to the base.
 7. The metering system of claim 6, wherein the gap between the meter and the base provides an insulator to dampen vibrations imparted to the base to prevent the microphone from sensing noise generated from the vibrations.
 8. The metering system of claim 1, wherein the meter including an upper housing and a lower housing, the lower housing having a plurality of lower housing side walls, the lower housing side walls each taper towards a longitudinal axis of the housing, the meter including a first lower housing side wall, a second lower housing side wall, a third lower housing side wall, a fourth lower housing side wall, and a lower housing bottom wall.
 9. The metering system of claim 8, wherein the base includes a plurality of base inner side walls defining the cavity, the inner side walls includes a first base inner side wall, a second base inner side wall, a third base inner side wall, a fourth base inner side wall, and a base inner bottom wall, wherein the first base inner side wall is oriented toward the first lower housing side wall, the second base inner side wall is oriented toward the second lower housing side wall, the third base inner side wall is oriented toward the third lower housing side wall, the fourth base inner side wall is oriented toward the fourth lower housing side wall, and the base inner bottom wall is oriented toward the lower housing bottom wall.
 10. The metering system of claim 9, wherein the first base inner side wall is substantially parallel relative to the first lower housing side wall, the second base inner side wall is substantially parallel relative to the second lower housing side wall, the third base inner side wall is substantially parallel relative to the third lower housing side wall, and the fourth base inner side wall is substantially parallel relative to the fourth lower housing side wall, and the base inner bottom wall is substantially parallel relative to the lower housing bottom wall.
 11. A metering system comprising: a meter defining a housing that includes circuitry to perform media monitoring; a microphone within the housing of the meter to receive audio from a media device; a base separate from the meter and defining a cavity; a plurality of housing magnets carried by the meter; and a plurality of base magnets carried by the base and oriented toward the cavity, the housing magnets of the meter to align with corresponding base magnets of the base when the meter is located in the cavity of the base, the base magnets to repel the housing magnets, the plurality of housing magnets to cause the housing to levitate relative to the base to form an air gap therebetween, the base and the meter structured to restrict rotation of the meter relative to the base when the meter is levitated relative to the base, the meter being capable of instantaneous removal from the base.
 12. The metering system of claim 11, wherein the housing magnets are positioned about a perimeter of the housing, and wherein the base magnets are positioned about a perimeter of the base.
 13. The metering system of claim 11, wherein the housing includes a lower housing portion and an upper housing portion, the lower housing portion having a convex shape defined by a plurality of housing walls.
 14. The metering system of claim 13, wherein the lower housing portion includes at least one of a first housing wall, a second housing wall, a third housing wall, and a fourth housing wall, the first housing wall is oriented opposite the second housing wall, the third housing wall is oriented opposite the fourth housing wall, and wherein the first housing wall includes a first housing magnet and a second housing magnet, the second housing wall includes a third housing magnet and a fourth housing magnet, the third housing wall includes a fifth housing magnet and the fourth housing wall includes a sixth housing magnet.
 15. The metering system of claim 14, wherein the base includes a plurality of inner base walls that define the cavity, the cavity having a concave shape, the inner base walls including at least a first base wall, a second base wall, a third base wall and a fourth base wall, the first base wall is oriented opposite the second base wall, and the third base wall is oriented opposite the fourth base wall, and wherein the first base wall includes a first base magnet and a second base magnet, the second base wall includes a third base magnet and a fourth base magnet, the third base wall includes a fifth base magnet, and fourth base wall includes a sixth base magnet.
 16. The metering system of claim 15, wherein when the meter is coupled to the base, the first housing wall is oriented toward the first base wall, the second housing wall is oriented toward the second base wall, the third housing wall is oriented toward the third base wall, and the fourth housing lower is oriented toward the fourth base wall.
 17. A metering system for monitoring a media device, the metering system comprising: a meter having a display to present indicia associated with a panelist, the meter having a microphone to receive audio output from the media device and circuitry to perform media monitoring, the meter having a housing defining a projection; and a base defining a cavity to receive the projection of the meter, the meter to magnetically levitate relative to the base to decouple the meter from the base and isolate the microphone from the base to reduce degradation of an audio signal received by the microphone when the projection of the meter is received by the base, the base and the meter structured to fix a rotational position of the meter relative to the base in response to at least one of the meter coupled to the base or the meter levitating relative to the base.
 18. The metering system of claim 17, wherein the meter includes a plurality of housing magnets and the base includes a plurality of base magnets, respective ones of the housing magnets align with respective ones of the base magnets, the housing magnets to repel the base magnets to cause the meter to levitate relative to the base.
 19. The metering system of claim 17, wherein the meter is structured to decouple from the base in response to a lifting forces applied to the meter in a direction away from the base.
 20. The metering system of claim 17, wherein the meter and the base form a gap therebetween when the projection is received by the base and the meter levitates relative to the base. 